Time Management and Productivity Blog

How To Leave Work On Time

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Fri, 05 Aug 2016 07:00:00 +0000

It's Friday, you've had a busy week and you really don't want to be leaving late today. Here are a few tips to get you out of the office and finishing work on time or even early.

Start by giving your work colleagues and your boss a heads-up that you need to leave early to reduce the risk of last minute questions or urgent work requests.

Plan your day - make a list of the tasks you absolutely must get done today. Allocate time slots in the day when you're going to do them.

Prioritise your list - what's important, what could wait until Monday? Can anyone else help or do the task for you? Be realistic about how much you can complete in the time available.

Work backwards from the time you need to leave. Manage your time and plan the tasks on your to-do list accordingly.

Stay focused - avoid any distractions or interruptions that stop you from getting on with your tasks or delay you e.g. lingering for a chat by the coffee machine, interruptions from colleagues etc. Work in short bursts - you'll stay focused and be more productive.

If you can't avoid Friday meetings altogether, avoid last minute or late meetings. Keep them to the morning. If they run over you'll be under even more pressure to complete any follow ups or actions before you need to leave along with your now delayed tasks.

Make phone calls or send emails that need a response in the morning to allow time for them to reply and for you to action. Remember to add this requirement in any requests.

Stop work at least 10-15 minutes before 4pm to give you time to clear your desk, file any paperwork, shut down your computer.

Book an important personal appointment that means you absolutely must leave on time. You're less likely to start 'just one more thing'.

Set the intention of leaving on time and treat the end of the working day as a 'deadline' not a movable timeline where you just keep working until you've finished.

Creating a definite end-time will help you stay focused.

How to find time to exercise for an hour a day

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Thu, 28 Jul 2016 12:05:00 +0000

"Those who do not find time for exercise will have to find time for illness"

A recent report in the Lancet says an hour of exercise a day can counteract the many hours we spend sitting at our desks, in front of a computer or watching TV.

Long periods of sitting increase your risk of premature death more than obesity (another good reason to get moving) and smoking. Inactivity increases your risk of stroke, heart disease, diabetes and some cancers.

50% of women and 30% of men fail to achieve even the recommended 30 minutes a day.

But we're all so busy, how can we find time to fit in an hour of exercise?

It doesn't have to mean going to the gym or joining an exercise class, although that can help. Just get more active throughout the day and it all adds up.

Get up from your desk every half an hour. Use the Pomodoro concept of 25 minutes of work and a 5 minute break. You'll be more focused, more productive and spend less time sitting.

Take a walk at lunchtime. Avoid the temptation to eat at your desk. Find some green space if you can, walk to the shops or just around the block.

Get up and go and talk to your colleagues face-to-face rather than pinging them yet another email or using the phone.

If it's a short meeting - stand don't sit. Not only will this keep it to time but you'll avoid adding to your sitting time.

Walk or cycle to the station instead of taking the car. Even better if you can walk or cycle to work or ...

Get on or off the bus, train or tram a stop earlier and walk the extra distance. Whether it's work, a trip to the shops or just around town.

Walk to the shops. How many of you jump in the car to pop to your local shop? Many of my neighbours do it - it's less than a 10 minute walk to the nearest 'corner' shop and only 15 minutes to a larger supermarket (OK, even I drive when I have more than a few items to buy).

Use the stairs at work rather than the lift. While you might not want to walk up every floor, if your office is on the 20th floor, taking a few stairs to go up or down a couple of floors will get you fitter.

Walk up escalators. They're not just for standing on, unless it's really busy and no one is walking up them.

Download and play PokemonGo - this game is being credited with getting people out and about outdoors and walking. [Warning - download this at your peril, it's likely to be addictive and you'll actually 'waste' more time playing it!]

Get a pedometer or use an app like MapMyFitness (Walk, Run or Cycle apps) or activity tracker - Fitbit or Garmin to monitor your activity. Even if you only use it to see how much you do, you can also benefit from working with your friends and seeing how you score. The competitive element can be enough to motivate you to move more.

15 minutes of stretching or yoga is a good way to ease out those muscles and joints which have been in one position for hours at a time.

It all adds up. 15 minutes at the beginning and end of the day and 30 minutes at lunch time is more achievable than finding an hour to go to the gym. Several '5-10 minutes of activity' throughout the day can make up the recommended one hour.

Make the most of the longer hours of daylight and the warmer weather to get out and about. Get away from your desk, increase your activity and feel the benefit.

Hour's activity offsets 'sedentary day'. (BBC News)

Delegate Don't Dump

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Tue, 12 Jul 2016 15:47:00 +0000

Delegation is a great way to increase your productivity and achieve more, especially if you have limited time available.

By delegating you handover or outsource tasks that someone else is better qualified, more skilled or can do quicker than you.

However, there is a tendency to 'dump' tasks rather than delegate. These are more likely to be the urgent tasks, you've left to the last minute or possibly, for a similar reason had 'dumped' on you.

Think about the following points when you delegate or handover work to someone else.

What is the task being delegated? Work this out before you delegate a task. Give as much detail as needed and be clear and specific. Don't assume they know or you'll set them up for failure from the start and waste time when you don't get the outcome you want or expect. Confirm they understand what's expected.

Why is this task important? How does it fit into existing objectives and outcomes. What is it's priority and importance compared with anything else they might have planned.

When does this need to be done by? Give them a date, time when you need this task completed by or milestones reached. Allow plenty of notice so the person can plan it into their schedule.

How will it be done? What systems, processes, actions are required to complete the task and in what way. What resources do they need? Avoid being too prescriptive or seeing only 'one way' to do the task. There may be better ways if you allow some flexibility and creativity and focus on the end result not the specific method of achieving it.

Who is going to do this task? Do they have the time and skills to complete it in the time available. Are they the right person for the job?

Keep these in mind and you'll successfully delegate more of your tasks and free up more of your time.

Find Time For Your Business Speaking

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Tue, 05 Jul 2016 15:12:00 +0000

Boost Your Business Speaking Online - Virtual Summit – this online event will help you Fast-track your speaking career, increase your influence, book more gigs and BOOST your income.

Click here to find out more and register for the event: https://virtualspeakingpros.com/ce

Look out for the Bonus Offer - book your free session.

Keep Calm - Don't Stay In, Get Out ...

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Mon, 27 Jun 2016 09:00:00 +0000

... after what's been an emotional couple of days.

There are many more important things in life that remain unchanged regardless of what goes on - family and friendship, your health and wellbeing (unless you choose change). The sun will still rise, rain still falls, flowers continue to grow.

At times of stress, overwhelm or loss, it's really helpful to get outdoors into the fresh air. Reconnect with nature when things get tough. Get a sense of perspective, rebalance and realise there is much still right with the world beyond our narrow view of it.

Nature doesn't care about #Brexit. Wildlife knows no boundaries. Gardening is good for the soul and grounding in more ways than just getting soil under your fingernails.

At the low points in my life it's been a source of calm and inspiration. It motivated me to start my first blog (not this one ... this one) as a way of getting out of myself, doing what I enjoy and focusing on something positive.

When all around are losing their heads and emotions are running high as a result of the recent EU Referendum, remember 'this too shall pass'.

By all means have an emotional rant with your friends but don't dwell too much on what might or might not be.

Go for a walk, sit in a green space, look at the sights and sounds around you.

Regain your sense of calm.

The Power of Good Health

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Tue, 14 Jun 2016 15:29:00 +0000

I recently heard a great reason for you to look after your health and well-being.

A testimonial from someone who was middle aged, relatively sedentary, overweight, diabetic and had high blood pressure. Their doctor advised them they would need to be on medication to manage their blood pressure and insulin to manage the diabetes.

They had a choice.

Carry on as they were and even with medication managing their various symptoms, effectively 'sit around and wait to die' or ...

Do something about it!

They chose to change. By totally committing to their health and wellbeing. In just 9 weeks:

They lost over 20lbs
Lowered their blood pressure to that of a much healthier, younger person
Dropped several clothing sizes
Are no longer diabetic
No need of any medication to control either their diabetes or high blood pressure.

They worked 1:1 with a personal trainer who prescribed a programme of diet and exercise, adjusted and modified to their needs and worked with them to achieve these amazing results.

Yes, it takes hard work, dedication and a commitment to change but what would you rather do? Live the rest of your life on prescribed medication with it's own inherent risks and side-effects and not solve the underlying problem? Or take control of your own health and change for the better?

You only have one life - live longer and make the most of every happy, healthy minute!

5 Reasons To Green Up Your Life

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Tue, 31 May 2016 12:10:00 +0000

A day out and enjoying nature tamed and in some cases designed within an inch of it’s life. Not always my particular style of gardening but like a fashion show for gardens, great for inspiration and ideas.

The gardens and exhibitors were built around this year's theme of Greening Grey Britain. Using the outside space for living, bring the outdoors in or creating a link between the two.

David Austin roses

Research has shown that taking time to smell the roses (I could wander through the David Austin display all day), weeding, planting or picking your own vegetables provides a positive boost to your mental and physical well-being.

Growing plants from seed gives you a sense of achievement as you nurture, grow and produce flowers or fruit from a tiny seed into a beautiful plant.

You get a sense of perspective and it takes you away from the busyness of everyday life as you focus on the task in hand.

Solve a problem - doing something unassociated with the report you’re trying to write, the complexity of a project, the screen you’ve been staring at unproductively for the last half hour.

Reduce your stress - digging or pruning. The exercise is good, release your pent up emotions for good, rather than bottling them up or taking them out on someone else. It releases feel good hormones and reduces your stress hormone.

You can relax and unwind. Whether you’re working in the garden or just enjoying the space.

Summer is the time to get out and enjoy your garden or if you don’t have one, someone else’s or a park. Even the smallest of spaces can grow a few herbs, a tomato plant in pots, hanging baskets or on a windowsill.

Gardening doesn’t have to take up a lot of time. Garden with nature in mind, which isn’t neat and tidy, you’ll benefit wildlife and the enjoyment of seeing birds, bees, butterflies and more come in to the space.

And, as part of your overall health and wellbeing a couple of hours in the garden is time well spent.

Green up your life and see the benefits.

Related articles:

Can gardening improve your health? (BBC Radio4 iPlayer)

BLAB: Best Practice For Meetings

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Thu, 26 May 2016 11:55:00 +0000

Organising and managing your time around meetings. (A few technical glitches but hopefully you get the gist and a few useful tips).

Charity cycle ride from Brighton to Paris for the Blind Veterans.

Unlocking the UK's Daily Savings Time (Workfront.com)

Additional tips for meetings:

Get in touch if you want to chat about your own challenges and issues.

Get Inspired!

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Tue, 17 May 2016 10:11:00 +0000

In May I completed a charity cycle ride for the Blind Veterans UK, cycling 150+ miles from Brighton to Paris. We were a group of 39 cyclists including three of the Blind Veterans on tandems.

So many of us take our sight for granted. We don’t realise how lucky we are. All three have undergone experiences we can't imagine and lost not only their sight but their sense of identity and in many cases have lost everything as a result.

They are an amazing source of inspiration. With the support of the Blind Veterans they have rebuilt their lives and are taking on challenges most of us wouldn't even consider.

Their courage shows us, with patience, persistence and focus on your desired outcome, anything is possible when you put your mind to it.

You just need to make a start!

What's your challenge for this year?

It was an honour to cycle with them and to raise funds for such a worthy cause. You can still donate through my JustGiving page.

More Ways To Control Your To-Do List

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Tue, 26 Apr 2016 09:51:00 +0000

Your to-do list can quickly become overwhelming.

Here are a few more ways to help you keep control of your list.

Apply the 80/20 rule. You’ll get 80% of your results from 20% of your activity. Remember this when prioritising your list. How will this task contribute to your end goal?

Use an App - there are a number of apps out there which help you keep control of your to-do list (free and paid). Wunderlist, ToDoist, Any.Do. Many apps integrate with your calendar, sync across multiple devices or have plug-ins for email and your browser, making it easier to add, update and keep track of tasks. Find an app you like and stick with it. Allow time to get used to it and make it work the way you want.

Keep it simple. Some apps are great, some are more complex or do some of what you want but not everything. Decide what you want first then find the app or method that works best.

Use pen and paper. There’s nothing wrong with old style list making. It’s far more organic and satisfying to have the touch and feel of pen on paper, flicking through pages, crossing off tasks, creating templates than typing things in on a screen.

Bullet-journalling. Start with a blank notebook and tailor it to the way you work - following a few basic guidelines. Add as much or as little as you need, include personal goals, checklists, track progress, see your year/month at a glance. It’s a more flexible and organic option to a daily dairy or organiser.

For repeating tasks - add them to your calendar, phone, app as a reminder that pops up a few days in advance - paying bills, updating your accounts etc. Block out the time in your dairy.

Delegate - you may not have time to do everything on your list but someone else might. They can help you out, have more time available than you, be more skilled at getting it done. It’s not part of your role or responsibility.

Manage the flow. If you’ve got more coming in than you can physically or mentally manage in a day, look at how you can reduce the flow in and increase the flow out.

Reduce what comes in:

Push back
Say ‘no’ more often
Unsubscribe

Increase the flow out:

Work on the Important before it becomes Urgent
Set time limits
Delegate - what tasks can/should someone else do?
Increase resources

Automate - the right systems and processes can streamline communications, keep you on track and make your life easier overall. Especially when it saves you time with repetitive tasks or prevents re-inventing the wheel each time.

Overwhelmed by your to-do list? Get in touch and let's talk through a few options to bring order to your list.

See also:

How to Make Sense of Your To Do List

BLAB: Take Control of your Inbox

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Wed, 20 Apr 2016 17:51:00 +0000

Plenty of tips and techniques on how you can manage your Inbox more effectively.

The report I mention is:

Unlocking the UK's Daily Savings Time (Workfront.com)

Guidelines on using email:

How To Make Sense of Your To-do List

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Tue, 12 Apr 2016 13:08:00 +0000

You’ve got 50+ things on your to-do list. You’re feeling totally overwhelmed and don’t know where to start or how on earth you’re getting to get them all done.

You think you’re too busy to write a list, it’s a waste of time, you’d rather just get on with it, you could spend all your day planning instead of 'doing'.

However, it’s been proven that if you spend time getting to grips with your to-do list and planning your day, you’ll save yourself hours of wasted time and stress and have a more productive day.

Here’s how to make sense of your list, take control and feel less overwhelmed.

Start by writing everything down or at least gathering everything together in one place, especially if your tasks are scattered across multiple lists.

Admit you're not going to get all 50+ things completed today!

Break larger projects down into actionable tasks. What the first, smallest actionable step you need to take?

This next step takes a bit of time the first time. But the more often you do it and the more it becomes a habit, the quicker you become.

Go through each task:

What is the priority for this task - this will relate to the date needed - overdue, urgent, important … A simple 1, 2, 3; A, B, C; red, orange yellow (if you want to use colours), is enough to start prioritising your tasks.

When is it needed by? Today, tomorrow, this week, this month …? Don’t clutter up your list with tasks that don’t need to be completed until a later date. Add them to a future list or put them on your calendar so they pop up when needed.

Group similar tasks together - whether by type of task - phone calls, emails or by project or client. It’s quicker and more efficient to do similar tasks - make a few phone calls at the same time. Include information you need to complete the task - particularly phone numbers, links etc. One less thing you need to think about for the task.

Separate your tasks into categories - work, personal, chores. If it’s helpful use ‘project’ or ‘client’ categories so you get a better perspective on how your tasks relate to your workflow.

Set aside time in your day to actually complete the task - especially the high priority ones.

Keep your daily to-do list short. No more than the number of tasks you can actually achieve in a day. This could be as low as 3, ideally no more than 10. If you have too many tasks or you don’t complete them each day, reduce the number.

Review your new, shorter list throughout the day. If it’s working it will be guiding what you’re working on each day, if it’s not then you may need to rethink how you’re working or what you’re working on.

By the end of each day you will have checked off a number of tasks. Plan what you need to complete the following day.

Add new tasks as they come along and apply the same principles of prioritising, organising and scheduling in time for each task.

Purge your list regularly. The chances are some of the low priority tasks will naturally fall off the list or are no longer relevant.

Get in touch if you want to make more sense of your own to-do list.

No Shows And Missed Meetings

noreply@blogger.com (Clare Evans) — Thu, 07 Apr 2016 09:00:00 +0000

Now I know life gets in the way and we can't always allow for the unexpected.

It's frustrating when people take the time and effort to book, register or sign-up for sessions, seminars and workshops and just don't turn up. Whether it's free or they've paid upfront.

You're left wondering what happened. How long to wait before you give up or go and do something else.

What is it? Disorganisation, poor planning or over commitment?

What would make you miss an appointment, you've committed to, whether it was intentional or not?

When you make arrangements to meet someone or be somewhere - other people have made time in their day for you.

If you need to change your plans, let them know at the first and earliest opportunity. People will understand, sometimes it's unavoidable or you have a genuine reason for not showing up or missing a meeting.

Be honest. Respect their time so they can make other arrangements, change bookings, make adjustments or have time to do something else.

There's no excuse for not turning up and not letting someone know?

Do you find you're always saying yes to things and then for whatever reason you're not able to attend or have to let people down at the last minute? Or perhaps you simply forget because it's not written down or you just have too much on. It happens.

Be more realistic with your time. Plan ahead. Don't say "yes" or agree to a meeting when what you actually mean is "probably not". Better to make a tentative arrangement and confirm nearer the time than over commit or double book.

Don't get a reputation for being dis-organised or unreliable.

Unlock Your Daily Savings Time

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Tue, 29 Mar 2016 06:30:00 +0000

New report: Unlock the UK’s Daily Savings Time - UK workers lose hours every day on inefficiency, but what if they could get that time back?

As a result of poor time and work management, UK businesses lose literally millions of pounds per year. This only gets worse as the digital workspace becomes more complex and cluttered. Fortunately, there are ways to reverse this trend. In this ebook, time-savings expert Clare Evans provides invaluable tips to get your team’s time back, including:

Which productivity-killers are most costly to your team
How to reduce the number of time-devouring meetings your team attends
How to ensure that your team’s time is focused on the most value-generating activities

Download and read the report - Unlock the UK's Daily Savings Time (Workfront Inc.)

BLAB: Talking Time with Steven Healey

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Mon, 21 Mar 2016 11:00:00 +0000

My recent Blab Interview with Steven Healey - talking time.

A Journey of Self-Discovery

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Tue, 08 Mar 2016 13:32:00 +0000

I recently returned from a workshop with a difference. A Journey of Self-Discovery led by David Ferrers. It was an amazing, life-affirming experience held in Kerala, India.

When you want to make significant changes in your life, it helps to take yourself out of your usual environment and step out of your comfort zone. There is no better place to do this than in a different country, climate and culture.

Being abroad is a wonderful way to get away from day-to-day life.

You avoid the distractions of the office, being mostly disconnected from technology and social media, puts you into a different mindset.

You're able to focus on what’s really important in your life, without the daily interruptions you have in your usual environment, especially if you're in a different timezone.

You have time to think about your own needs, without the pressure of outside influences that usually eat into your time.

You have new experiences, connect with people who enrich your life and learn to understand yourself better.

The workshop was very different from the usual learning and self-development workshops you may have attended or heard about.

There were only a handful of slides over the whole week. There was very little in the way of being 'taught' (talked at). There were no handouts - we created our own notes or took notes for each other.

Working mainly in pairs or groups of three, we were coaching each other right from the start, a much more powerful and immersive way of learning. We came together as a group to share what we'd learned about ourselves and from each other.

As there were only 10 of us in total - the beauty of a small group means you have a more intense, personal experience and get more out of the time you spend together.

We were able to dig deeper by asking questions, trusting our own intuition and being gently challenged and guided by the skilled interaction of our coach, David Ferrers and each other.

Plenty of ‘down-time’ is just as important to learning and development. We had time to relax between sessions, to consolidate our thoughts, open up to new ways of thinking and behaving. Time to observe and interact with the people around us. Opportunities to experience new things, share a beer or two and eat great food.

After a few days, a group of strangers had quickly established bonds and become close. Sharing some of our deepest thoughts, we realised we all have the same needs and challenges, even though we come from different backgrounds and cultures.

We were in a safe, creative and inspiring place. We discovered things we didn’t know or had forgotten about ourselves. We were challenged and came away with a greater understanding of who we are and where our strengths lie.

As with any journey, it all begins with the first step. We are all more powerful, capable and happier as a result of what we discovered together as we now take our next steps.

If you want to start your own journey and learn how to restore the natural balance in your own life, get in touch.

Four Simple Steps For Effective Feedback

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Tue, 02 Feb 2016 10:00:00 +0000

Feedback is an important way for leaders to communicate and manage their teams.

Feedback can be positive and 'constructive' (rather than negative).

It's important to give both types of feedback, rather than just always giving one (usually constructive).

Avoid linking the two – giving with one hand and taking away with the other.

How To Deliver Effective Feedback

Be timely. Give feedback as soon as possible otherwise the relevance and effectiveness is lost.

Be aware of your body language, tone and words. Avoid using confrontational words or tone if you have more challenging behaviour or performance to discuss.

Be direct, open and honest. Consider their frame of reference – it may be different from yours, which may affect the message they hear. What are their values, attitudes and experiences?

Four Steps For Effective Feedback

1. Be specific. What are the facts as you see them? Describe the specific actions and behaviours you observed. What specifically was said or done?

2. Your thoughts. What impact has their action had on other people, the business or in general? What are your thoughts, opinions or conclusions as a result of the action? Remember they are your thoughts so state this – “I think that …”. Link what you observed to what you thought.

3. Your feelings. How do you feel about the situation (NOT about the individual) – frustrated, disappointed, pleased – “I feel…” not “You made me feel …”

4. The outcome. What is the result or outcome you want? What do you want them to change, improve, stop or continue? Be clear about what you want so they understand what they need to change or keep doing.

Once you have delivered the feedback, allow them to respond, especially with constructive feedback. Have they fully understood? Actively listen to what they say.

It's often more difficult to deliver constructive feedback but both forms need to be effective.

Plan your feedback

What is the reason for giving feedback - a job well done, an opportunity for improvement, a lesson to be learned.

When and where will you give it? It may take only a few seconds or a few minutes but the time and place needs to be appropriate. A brief thank you or a planned meeting.

If you need additional information on providing feedback or you want to discuss a specific situation you're facing - Get In Touch.

Six Hours For A More Productive Work Day

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Tue, 26 Jan 2016 16:22:00 +0000

Sweden have introduced a six-hour work day to increase productivity and make people happier.

Considering only 60-80% of our day is actually spent being productive, it makes sense.

When you have less time available you're more likely to focus and less likely to get distracted.

With shorter working hours, you have more time to do the things you enjoy or spend more time with your family and friends.

Even if your not able to work a six-hour work day, set a fixed start and end time to your working day, minimise or reduce your distractions and only spend time on productive tasks. Avoid time wasters, stay focused and you'll at least reduce your working hours.

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/sweden-introduces-six-hour-work-day-a6674646.html

(Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Yeah! It's Blue Monday

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Mon, 18 Jan 2016 10:00:00 +0000

Despite today being labelled as Blue Monday, there's no reason to be feeling down on this or any other day.

The sun is shining, the sky is blue. A lovely change from the rain and wind over the last few weeks.

After a flurry of snow at the weekend, the day's are getting longer and we're slowly but surely heading into Spring.

Even if you're counting the cost of Christmas, if you're overdrawn and running up debts on your credit cards or find you're struggling to make ends meet at this time of the year, make a decision to manage your money better.

If you're feeling the effects of over indulgence, make a commitment to improve your health - get active, eat a healthier diet and look after yourself this year.

If you've already fallen off the 'New Year Resolution' or Dry January bandwagon - don't give up, get back on track and keep going.

I've managed to commit to (and achieved) a daily yoga practice and completed the 7 Day Juice and Soup Challenge. I find it helps having the motivation of not only shifting a few of those Christmas pounds but seeing a tick every day of the year so far on my daily yoga schedule!

You can expect a few slip-ups along the way but that doesn't mean you've failed. Think about the reasons you want to change and commit to taking one or two steps to making those changes. Success breeds success.

If you try and do too much all at once or beat yourself up too often - you're more likely to give up completely. Change your habits one day at a time and celebrate your small achievements along the way.

Patience and persistence, focus and commitment will get you there.

If you want to make real and lasting changes - change your habits one day at a time with the 91 Day Challenge or if that's too much of a stretch - ask me about the 31 Day version.

Find your potential in 2016.

(Photo credit: Wikipedia)

How To Survive Christmas

noreply@blogger.com (Clare Evans) — Tue, 22 Dec 2015 10:00:00 +0000

Christmas can be stressful - particularly with all the added pressure that gets piled on at this time of year.

You've fought your way through the crowds of Christmas shoppers to grab the best bargains and stressed over the size of the gifts and whether you have enough.

Families who rarely speak to each other all year feel obliged to get together at Christmas and any underlying tension is bound to creep (or explode) out.

Since the start of November adverts have been showing happy, smiling people enjoying a snow-filled Christmas, sparkling lights, clinking glasses and plates of beautifully prepared food. Endless articles on the prefect present list (not a pair of socks in sight), how to wrap them, how to create a beautifully decorated home and what to cook for the festive season.

If you've been planning the 'perfect' Christmas - don't get stressed when things don't turn out quite as you hoped. Guests turn up late, the turkey takes longer to cook than planned, the roast potatoes are burnt, the sprouts no-one eats have turned to mush, the tree has dropped all it's needles and the house has turned in to a war zone with feuding families and fractious children.

Don't panic!!

Make it as enjoyable and as stress-free as possible.

Plan what needs to be done on the big day. Prepare what you can in advance and work backwards so you can get the timings right (or as close as possible). Don't go into meltdown just because everything isn't ready bang on time.

Get everyone to help out - whether it's peeling potatoes, setting the table, pouring the drinks or tidying/washing up afterwards. There's no point feeling you have to do everything yourself, being a martyr and then complaining.

If they don't offer, just ask! Many hands make light work (unless it's a case of too many cooks in the kitchen). Ask guests to bring a plate, prepare a dish or contribute in some way so you have less to do.

It's not necessary to have 10 different varieties of vegetable - some of which you've probably never cooked before and half of which no one will eat or to provide an endless conveyor belt of food and drink.

Drink plenty of water and soft drinks in between the alcoholic indulgence (if you do), so you avoid a crashing hangover, a headache and even worse temper and alcohol fuelled arguments.

Get out for some fresh air and exercise and have a good walk at least once, whether or not you have a dog that needs to get out too. Apparently this is one of the things that people enjoy most about Christmas - the family walk.

Have a few store cupboard essentials or something in the freezer for when unexpected guests turn up. After the Christmas indulgence a cup of tea and a biscuit may be all they need!

A happy Christmas is one spent in the company of people you love and who love you. Doing things you enjoy and yes, probably eating and drinking a little too much.

Remember to relax and enjoy the time spent with your family and friends, especially if you've been working hard all year. Be thankful for what you have and for those around you.

It doesn't have to be perfect to be a happy, enjoyable and stress-free time of the year.

Image via Wikipedia

Are you good busy or bad busy?

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Tue, 08 Dec 2015 10:00:00 +0000

One of the first things I frequently hear from clients, when we check-in at the beginning of a session, is they’re busy. I ask whether it's ‘good busy’ or ‘bad busy’? "What’s the difference?" they ask.

Good busy is when you’re focused on doing good work, being productive, working on high priority tasks, have plenty of clients and customers to work with and you’re not wasting time on less important tasks.

You feel the buzz of being busy, you’re motivated and in the flow. Nothing phases you and everything gets managed, prioritised and slotted in. You get to the end of the day with a sense of accomplishment when you see how much you’ve done.

Bad busy is when you’re ‘too’ busy. Too much to do, too many people making demands on your time, rushing around from one thing to the next and not being particularly productive in the process.

You feel disorganised, overwhelmed and you’re chasing your tail. You’re pressured into working late and giving up your weekends to get everything done, you’re constantly trying to catch up and feeling stressed.

Which one are you?

Find out how you can be more Good Busy and less Bad Busy - get in touch and arrange a time for a free chat.

Real Solutions For Your Biggest Challenges - 50% off (Black Friday Weekend Only)

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Fri, 27 Nov 2015 11:13:00 +0000

You've probably noticed how some people are able to get more done than others?

Are you struggling to find time in your twenty-four hours, seven days a week to get everything done without losing sleep, feeling overwhelmed and out of control?

Are you missing out on time with family and friends because of the hours you work or do you just feel you’re busy being busy?

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Are you ready to get inspired and motivated? Just click here to reserve your slot and then I’ll send you a link to schedule a time for your session or Get In Touch to arrange a time.

Grow Your Business - A Day To Make Ideas Happen

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Mon, 19 Oct 2015 14:00:00 +0000

Last week I attended my local Chamber's annual event The Brighton Summit. This year's theme was Growing Your Business - A Day to Make Ideas Happen.

It was a jam-packed event, full of inspiring talks and workshops from businesses both local and national, all aimed at helping you to grow your business.

After an inspiring key note talk from Nikki Gatenby of Propellernet, a facilitated group session provide all attendees with the opportunity to discuss challenges, share ideas and look for support and inspiration to take back to their own business.

There were a few common themes coming up during this session.

Day-to-day busyness makes it difficult to grow;
TIME;
goal-setting;
planning;
staff/people management
good work/life balance - self and employees

Many of the usual challenges for businesses both large and small.

Lunch with a difference (not a sandwich in sight) was followed by an afternoon of inspiring and informative workshop sessions. Too many to choose from and I would have loved to have gone along to more of them. A mix of practical tools, tips, ideas and inspiration for your business.

Several of the discussions revolved around if you love your business then work/life balance isn't as important - do you agree? There were inspiring stories from people who had grown their business through passion, persistence and good old fashioned hard work.

If you want to grow your business you need to know what you're working towards and it's not always about money. In fact it's rarely about money. Nikki's talk focused on the importance of dreams and how at Propellernet they incorporate many of their teams dreams into their work. No wonder they're consistently voted one of the best places to work.

"If you can dream it, do it"

Jim Duffy from Entrepreneurial Spark closed the event with a very motivational talk from on and off the stage about the amazing things that the businesses they work with are doing and how important mindset and behaviour is to success.

"Everyone has it in them to be a success given the right situation and support."

I loved the way there were boxes of apples and pears from @FinandFarm to help yourself to during the breaks. A healthy networking breakfast. Juices from @youjuice at the mid-morning break. A very healthy lunch from @SpadeandSpoon. Delicious tea-time treats from @RaiseBakery. So much more inventive than the usual standard sandwiches.

If you attended the Summit, make sure all those moments of inspiration and action haven't got lost as soon as you got back to the office.

Take time to jot down the ideas you want to put into action. What can you change that will make a real difference to you and your business?

Commit to taking action. If you came away with ideas, tips, a list of 'to-dos', add them to your daily, weekly, monthly action list.

Plan the time to make them happen.

Set aside time for creativity and growth. Book a day a month to get out of the office, away from your desk and think about your business strategically - make ideas happen.

Delegate - as soon as you can. You can't do everything, so having prioritised what's important, delegate anything that isn't core to your business or only you can do to someone else.

People. Have the right team on board who will help grow your business and who you can confidently delegate or outsource to.

Get help. Team up with a peer group, business mentor or coach. Take time out to get away from the day-to-day, to motivate, inspire and challenge you. To keep you focused and on track even when the going gets tough.

Don't know how you'll find the time ... get in touch for a free chat.

English: Seedling Deutsch: Sämling (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Start Your Day With A Morning Routine

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Mon, 12 Oct 2015 14:00:00 +0000

Whether it's a daily ritual of your morning tea or coffee, reading the papers, meditation or a morning run, how you start your day is important.

A good morning routine will help you to be more organised, more productive and more focused for the rest of the day.

Here are a few ideas to get you off to a good start.

Start with a good night's sleep. Few of us are able to burn the candle at both ends or survive on only a few hours sleep, without it coming back to bite us at some stage - physically, mentally or emotionally.

Lay out your clothes ready for the morning - shirt ironed, shoes polished.

Put your exercise kit out - you'll have less excuse if it's out, ready for when you wake up.

Make breakfast the night before. Bircher muesli can be prepared in advance. If you want a really healthy start - try a green smoothie!

Make lunch - take the time to prepare a healthy lunch and you'll be less tempted to snack or grab a sandwich at lunch time.

Get up early. Many successful CEOs and business owners are up at 5.00am to get a head start on the day. I often talk to people who don't have time to exercise, don't have time to read, don't have time for breakfast?

Set the alarm half an hour or an hour earlier, when it's quieter and there's less disturbance ... use the extra time for yourself - NOT to check your work email! Leave that until later in the day.

Plan your day. Either the night before or first thing in the morning. What do you need to get done, what's important for a successful, productive day?

You can't do everything, prioritise what's important and delegate as much as you can.

Use your plan to guide your day, don't react or get distracted by less urgent tasks (especially email).

Get your exercise in early - if you struggle to find time to exercise during the day, if you're 'too tired' at the end of the day - start early.

Do stretching, yoga or pilates to get your body gently moving. Go out for a short run or a brisk walk, before you shower and have breakfast.

A place for everything. Avoid last minute panics as you leave the house - put your car keys, house keys, mobile phone, charger etc. in the same place, so you're not searching around for them in the morning.

Change one or two things at a time to build your own successful morning routine. If you need more ideas or want to find a routine that works for you get in touch.

Are you up for a challenge?

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Mon, 05 Oct 2015 09:00:00 +0000

What is it about October - it's the month for giving things up.

Stoptober - the NHS encourage you to become a non-smoker.
Go Sober - to go alcohol-free for a month for Macmillan Cancer.

All great reasons to change a bad habit.

Perhaps after the Summer holidays people come back with a new perspective on life. When you've had a change of scenery and done something different for a couple of weeks, you realise what's not working in your life and become more away of the things you want to change.

Many people get the chance to focus more on their activity levels and eating habits while on holiday - both good and bad.

What do these challenges have in common?

You commit and sign up
You get daily reminders
You receive support, motivation and encouragement
There's a reward - look good, feel better
They last for a few days or a whole month
They give you a head-start - the rest is up to you.

You get a chance to raise money for a good cause if you get your friends and family to sponsor you. Money is a great motivator

The key thing about changing a habit over the course of a month is that you're more likely to stick with it if you can do it for 28 days.

The support, motivation and accountability are there to help you stay focused and on track.

October is a great time of year to change a habit or create a new one. It's only three months until the end of the year, still time to make a few changes before Christmas.

So what could you achieve in 91 Days?

Why not sign-up for the 91 Day Challenge and find out. Try it free for 7 days and you'll see how it can work for you - details and to arrange time for a chat here.